Station-indicator.



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` STATION-INDICATOR..`

SPEGJFICATION 'Olming part 0f Letters Patent NO. 686,367, dated N'Ovember 12, 1901. Application led Aprilfl, 1901. Serial No. 54,347. (o model.)

To all whom t may lconcern,.-

Be it known that I, ORON B. THOMPSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at North Tonawanda, in the county of Niagara and State of New York, have invented a new and useful stationjlndicator, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to station-indicators; and it has for its object to provide a device of this nature wherein by pulling a cord the slats upon which the names of the stations are marked will be brought successively into view and wherein the parts may be set to reverse the direction of movement of the slats when occasion may require, further objects and advantages of the invention having reference to details of structure, which will be understood from the following description.

In the drawings forming a portion of this specification, and in which like numerals of reference indicate similar-parts in the several views, Figure l is a vertical longitudinal section through the casing of the indicator and a portion of its supporting-bracket, the shifting mechanism being in elevation. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section through the casing. Fig. 3 is an elevation showing a portion of the supporting-bracket with the shift-wheel and the spider on the feed-shaft, the pawl for engagement with the spider being indicated in dotted lines in position for rotating the spider when the pull-cord is released. Fig. 4 is a reverse view of the shift-wheel, the pawl being in elevation and the arms of the spider in dotted lines. Fig. 5 is an edge elevation of the shift-wheel and adjacent parts, one of the spider-arms being partly broken off. Fig. G is a partial elevation of the shift-wheel and showing the pawl adjusted to rotate the spi` der when the cord is pulled.

Referring now to the drawings, the presentt station-indicator comprises a casing 10, the lower portion of which is provided with a longitudinal partition ll, dividing it into two compartments, and upon this base is disposed a top, the upper portion of which is reduced to form a cupola 12, longitudinally of which is journaled a feed-shaft having a plurality of similar rectangular feed-blocks 13 xed thereto, and on these blocks is disposed a series of slats 14, connected by means of links 15 to form a chain, the ends of the series of slats being disposed in the compartments at opposite sides of the partition 1l, so that as the feed-shaft isrotated in one direction the slats will be moved from one compartment to the other and when the shaft is reversely rotated the slats will be returned successively to their former positions. In the front side of the cupola is an opening 17, through which the slats are successively exposed.

The casing lO issupported removably upon a bracket including a horizontally-extending arm 18, having pins 19, which enga-ge openings in the bottom of the casing, to hold it in place, and the bracket includes also an upright 20, from which projects anarm 2l,which carries a stub-shaft 22, on which is disposed loosely a drum or wheel 23,'and in thiswheel is a spiral spring, (shown in dotted lines at 24,) saidrspring being attached at its inner end to the stub-shaft and at itsouter end to the drum orwheel, so that when the wheel is rotated in one direction the spring will be wound and when the wheel is released the spring will return it. against the tendency of the spring, a cord 25 is attach ed thereto and is wound partly thereon,'and when the cord is pulled it is unwound and the wheel rotated.

The end of the feed-shaft adjacent `to the feed-wheel 23 is provided with a spider 2o',

To move the wheel' the arms of which are disposed for successive engagement by a spring-pawl, including a block 28, pivoted upon the feed-wheel adjacent to the periphery thereof and having spaced arms between which the pawl-finger 27 is pivoted. A spring 29, connected with the spaced arms of the block andwith the nger, holds the latterfyieldably in the path of movement of the arms of the spider. If,

i then, the feed-wheel be rotated in the proper direction, the pawl by engaging an arm of the spider will rotate it and therewith the feed-shaft and lthe blocks thereon, so that the chain of slats will be 1noved,`the angu lar movement of the wheel being sufficient to move the shaft so that the next slat is brought into vertical position before the opening in the cupola. Supposing that the pawl be in the position shown in Fig. 6, the

spider will be moved when the cord is drawn, and when the cord is released the wheel will be returned by its spring to carry the pawl ICO behind the next arm of the spider and in position to advance the spider one more step when the cord is again pulled. To prevent return movement of the spider with the pawl, a spring-catch is provided and consists of a U-shaped plate 30, having its ends attached to the end of the casing 10 and having a depression in its periphery into which the arms of the spider successively snap.

The block 28 is fixed upon its pivot, which latter is rotatably mounted in the feed-Wheel and at its Outer end is attached a crank 3l, so that when the Wheel is to move the spider ina reverse direction the pawl may be reversed by rotating the crank so that the pawl Will then lie in the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5, at which time the pawl will engage the spider-arms in the return movement of the feed-wheel under the influence ot the returnspring.

Vhen the car in which the device is used is to be moved in an opposite direction, the casing 10 is removed from its supportingbracket and is carried to the Opposite end of the car and disposed upon a second bracket, the slats being then in position to indicate the stations.

In practice modifications of the specific construction shown may be made, and any suit-able materials and proportions may be used for the various parts Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is- 1. A device of the class described comprising a feed-shaft having a belt thereon and provided with a spider, a spring-returned wheel 'mounted in axial alinement With the shaft, a block pivotally mounted in the face of the wheel and having ears, a pawl pivoted between the ears and having a spring disposed to hold the pawl yieldably projected into the plane of the spider for engagement of the arms thereof, means for rotating the block to reverse the pawl, and a cord disposed upon the Wheel for rotating it against the tendency of the returning-spring.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a casing having separate compartments, a feed-shaft in the casing above the partition between the compartments, a series of spaced blocks on said shaft, a series of connected slats disposed on the blocks, a spider on said shaft, means for holding said spider in position, a spring-returned feed-wheel mounted .in axial alinement with said shaft, a block pivoted on said feed -wheel and having a crank for reversing its position, a pawl pivoted to said block, and movable therewith to project it in opposite direction, a spring acting to force the pawl outwardly from the face of the wheel for engagement with the spider, and a cord disposed upon the wheel for rotating it against the tendency of the returningspring, substantially as specified.

3. 4A. device ofthe class described, comprising a casing having separate compartments, a feed-shaft in said casing above the partition between the compartments, a series of spaced blocks on said shaft, a series of connected slats disposed on the blocks, a spider on said shaft, means for holding said spider in position, a bracket carrying the easing, a stud secured to said bracket and having its axis coincident With the axis of the feed-shaft, a spring-returned feed-Wheel loosely mounted on said stud, a block pivoted to said feedwheel and having a crank for reversing its position, a pawl pivoted to said block and movable therewith to project it in Opposite directions, a spring acting to force the pawl outwardly from the face of the wheel for engagementwith the spider, and a cord disposed upon the wheel for rotating it against the tendency of the returning-spring, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence ot' two witnesses.

ORON B. THOMPSON.

Witnesses:

GEORGE M. THOMPSON, JOHN C. OALLAHAN. 

